The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, granting a higher evaluation than the current 10 percent. The Veteran's hammertoe of the left and right fifth toes are both rated as noncompensable.
The deciding factor: The April 2008 VA examination showed that the Veteran had more range of motion in his right shoulder joint (up to 140 degrees) than what would be considered limited to shoulder level, warranting a higher evaluation. The left and right fifth toes were found to have no deformity.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Shoulder Strain, Hammertoe of Left Fifth Toe, Hammertoe of Right Fifth Toe
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- June 21, 2013
- Citation
- 1320018
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1320018.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection and increased rating for his right shoulder disability was denied. The Board found that the earliest claim for service connection was filed on June 3, 2024, and thus no earlier effective date is warranted.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder strain with rotator cuff tendonitis was granted, effective August 19, 2024. The decision is based on the merits of the case and not due to any presumption or new evidence.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his in-service injury.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left shoulder strains, finding that the current ratings of 20% are appropriate based on limited motion in both shoulders.
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